Air TransportEgyptAir takes delivery of first Airbus A350-900
EgyptAir has received its first Airbus A350-900, beginning deliveries of a 16-aircraft order and becoming the first airline in North Africa to operate the type.
According to Airbus, the A350-900 will be deployed on long-haul routes from Cairo, including planned nonstop services to destinations such as the US West Coast and North Asia. No entry-into-service date or initial route assignments have been disclosed.
The aircraft is configured in a two-class layout with 30 business-class seats offering direct aisle access and 310 economy-class seats, resulting in a relatively high-density cabin. The total of 340 seats places EgyptAir’s A350-900s above the layouts adopted by some other operators, such as Emirates, whose A350s seat 31 fewer passengers.
EgyptAir placed an initial order for 10 A350-900s in November 2023 and increased the commitment to 16 aircraft in June 2025. While EgyptAir has not formally outlined how the A350s will be allocated across its fleet, the aircraft are widely expected to take over missions currently flown by the Boeing 777-300ERs, which have been in service for roughly 15 years on average.
At present, EgyptAir operates a mixed widebody fleet that includes Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft, Boeing 787-9s, and Boeing 777-300ERs. The airline has not issued statements confirming replacement plans tied directly to the A350 introduction.
Airbus says the A350-900 is capable of flying up to 9,700 nautical miles and is certified to operate with up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel, with a target of full SAF compatibility by 2030. The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
As of the end of January 2026, the A350 family had secured more than 1,500 orders from 67 customers worldwide.
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